Started to learn capoeira with the famous Besouro (Manoel Henrique Pereira, 1895-1924), his first cousin
In Santo Amaro da Purificação, Bahia, Brazil
«Besouro, my mestre, began to teach me capoeira when I was just 4 years old.»
Santos, 1991
During the years [M Cobrinha Verde] also learned with Maitá (there is a samba with his name), Licurí, Joité, Dendê, Gasolina, Siri de Mangue, Doze Homens, Espiridião, Juvêncio Grosso, Espinho Remoso, Neco Canário Pardo and Tonha.